A single episode of the late night talk show BeleValóVilág powered by Big Brother accompanying the new series of the reality show and broadcast at 11 p.m. on November 15, was heavily loaded with explicit sexual content and directly displayed a sexual intercourse, which qualifies as pornographic content. The media service provider rated the show as not recommended under the age of 18; however, the investigation of the Authority concluded that it may severely impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors. The television channel RTL II is subject to Luxembourg jurisdiction, so complaints have to be filed to the partner authority there. With regards to the previous series, the Hungarian authority has filed complaints with the European authorities four times, mostly as a result of citizens reports regularly criticizing the content of the show.

Lots of swearing and erotic content

As the audience ratings of ninth series of Való Világ are still the highest among the 13-17 age group, the Authority is apprehensive about serial display of objectionable scenes especially due to the vulnerability of minors vis-à-vis harmful content, even if no laws are being broken. Consequently, this year NMHH continues its weekly reviews of the daily recaps of Való Világ powered by Big Brother after 10 pm and the accompanying late night talk show BeleValóVilág powered by Big Brother. Based on experiences of the earlier series, the “VV-barométer” rates this year’s series that started on November 4 once again in six changing categories: sexuality, nakedness appearing in a sexual context, profane expressions, smoking as well as direct and indirect alcohol consumption.

The most common element that raises concern is profanity, of which the Authority registers on average dozens of cases each day. During the three-week period, the most such cases were measured by the NMHH on November 23, when in an approximately 45-minute no-ad recap programme a total of ninety-one were registered. The classification of profane expressions is done based on the valid statutory system of criteria of age-limit categories and the recommendation of the Media Council. Sexual and erotic content is also a frequent problematic issue: an overwhelming number of cases were reported in connection with two programmes – more than forty occasions were registered by the Authority. The residents of the villa are still not shy, and in the 10 November accompanying programme the editors showed naked characters a total of fifteen times. The Authority continues to publish summary statistics every week, and the results of the first three weeks are already available on the NMHH website.

Methodology of the study

The barometer analyses the harmful motifs in the show using quantitative methods. The analysis counts harmful content per scene, while profane expressions on a per occasion basis. When registering sexual content, verbal references to sexuality are also shown in the figures. In terms of alcohol consumption, the barometer distinguishes between direct and indirect forms. With direct consumption of alcohol, just like with smoking, the analysis counts the actual behaviour, whereas indirect cases include residents talking about their drinking experiences. The NMHH’s objective with the barometer is to raise awareness of the importance of sober and conscious media consumption and the harmful effects of critical and harmful content beyond the limitations of law.